Feature

AMAFCA Bond Question: YES

Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority is seeking approval for a $25 million bond proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot.

AMAFCA owns, operates and maintains a network of flood control channels and dams throughout most of Bernalillo County—with the exception of the East Mountain area.

It’s a taxing authority. According to county assessor records, for a house worth $65,000, the AMAFCA tax is about $55 annually. Approval of the bond package does not mean a tax increase because the old bonds are paid off by the time the new ones are issued. The authority usually asks for voter approval every two years.

The money goes for repairs to local arroyos, improvements, and construction of drainage facilities that ensure rainwater discharged back into the river is free of trash and pollutants. AMAFCA's annual maintenance and operational budget is about $3.6 million.

A yes vote helps prepare the metro area for those thousand-year, hundred-year or once a year floods that can cause major damage. And it helps keep the river clean. Thumbs up from the Alibi on this one.